What is the ablative absolute and how do you use it?

The ablative absolute is a neat and, I think, elegant Latin subordinate clause. It is distinguishable from the main clause by a subject noun and a participle, usually the perfect, in the ablative case. It has a rough translation meaning 'This having happened', or 'After this had happened...'. The ablative case makes it distinct from the main clause and describes a state of affairs in which the main clause takes place. An example would be: 'Spartaco victo Crassus Pompeiusque consules facti sunt.' (After Spartacus had been defeated, Crassus and Pompey became consuls.) The fact that it has no direct translation into English actually allows you to be reasonably flexible when translating it. For example, Latin often uses an ablative absolute where English would use two verbs linked by 'and'. So, an alternative translation of the above could be, 'Crassus and Pompey defeated Spartacus and became consuls'. As I said, it's quite neat!

Answered by Sam C. Latin tutor

4063 Views

See similar Latin GCSE tutors

Related Latin GCSE answers

All answers ▸

ardet abire fuga dulcisque relinquere terras, / attonitus tanto monitu imperioque deorum. (Aeneid, 4.281-282) Using the Latin describe Aeneas' emotions at this point.


How to learn a Latin GCSE set text?


How should I translate an ablative absolute? I've never managed to get it.


'dux militibus imperavit ut summa virtute pugnarent.' What construction is this? Parse 'militibus' and explain why it is like this. With the same construction, rewrite this sentence using 'iubeo' instead of 'imperare'.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences